It was a sweltering hot June evening and the temple at Kings Heath was packed.  Brethren had come from near and far for another meeting of Warwickshire Installed Masters Lodge (WIML), Warwickshire’s premier lodge and they were not to be disappointed as it was to be very special for all sorts of reasons.

Shirt sleeves were the order of the day and many of the brethren had to contest with an issue rarely encountered – where to put ones jewels!!  Once resolved, the assembled throng was welcomed by the Master, Phil Wills.  Having conducted the usual business of the lodge, including a record number of joining members and the election of David Butcher as Master Elect, the latter being received with acclaim by the brethren, the Master was delighted to invite our guest speaker to take to the floor.

John Prizeman, better know by the Mark Masons out there as the Mark Pro Grand Master, readily accepted Phil’s invitation and proceeded to talk about the relationship between Craft and the Mark.  He started by briefly talking about his own masonic career culminating in his current appointment as Mark Pro Grand Master, noting that he was invested as such 24 hours before Jonathan Spence was invested as the craft Pro Grand Master!  It was at the latter’s request that John addressed a craft quarterly communication and he was delighted to reciprocate by inviting Jonathan to address Mark Grand Lodge.  He stated that one cannot enter into any masonic journey without first being a craft mason and a Royal Arch companion.  John explained that any such journey is not to be rushed but rather savoured and enjoyed.  He added that there are plans to have a Mark component to Solomon.  The companion orders are complementary to the craft with Freemasonry being like a multi-faceted jewel, each bringing brilliance to the whole.

The Worshipful Master thanked John most sincerely for coming to entertain us and the brethren responded with acclaim.  The charity steward then appealed on behalf of the Warwickshire 2027 Mark Benevolent Fund Festival – an unusual but most appropriate choice on such an evening.  The surprises were not over as during the second rising, the Provincial Grand Master, Philip Hall presented his Mark counterpart, Andrew Armbrister, with a cheque for £5,000 towards the 2027 Mark Benevolent Fund Festival.  He then updated the brethren on the Warwickshire 2028 Tercentary Appeal, thanking them for their generosity as we’d raised £250,000 so far, exhorting all to keep up the good work.  David Handley then rose to present the Philip Hall with a cheque for £250 from the Provincial Priory of Warwickshire.

Finally, following his recent retirement as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Howard Smith has also stepped down from the “Let’s Talk” team.  Martin Parrack presented him with a splendid poster of Ferraris across the years, recognising both Brother Howard’s contribution to the work of the team but also his love of the prancing horse! Howard responded by thanking Martin for such a thoughtful gift adding that he has thoroughly enjoyed attending events as part of the team and that has handed over his responsibilities to Peter Clarke, including the purchasing of the ice creams!

The meeting was closed in harmony and the brethren retired to seek some much-needed liquid refreshment.  They then enjoyed yet another convivial Installed Masters’ Festive Board.  The usual toasts were made in typical sincere manner and our guest speaker was suitably spoilt rotten with a memento of his visit along with something to pour into it!  All in all, it had indeed been a very special evening, one that had truly made the Mark!